The original item was published from 3/17/2020 10:07:00 PM to 3/17/2020 10:11:18 PM.

News Flash

City News Updates

Posted on: March 17, 2020

[ARCHIVED] Update on Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

If you suspect you have been exposed to the coronavirus, please call the Florida Department of Health - Broward County at 954.412.7300 BEFORE traveling to any health care facility.

Updates on City of Hollywood COVID-19 response:

The City of Hollywood is under a level 2 (partial) activation of our Emergency Operations Center since March 14th. City leaders continue to closely monitor the situation and are working with our partners at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Florida Department of Health, Memorial Regional Hospital and other local, state and federal organizations.

Today Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced new restrictions in an effort to reduce crowds and promote
social distancing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bars and Nightclubs Closed for 30 Days

Effective 5:00 p.m. today, March 17th, all bars and nightclubs in Hollywood must suspend operations for 30 days. This includes closing the bar area within a restaurant for direct service to patrons.

Requirements for Restaurants

Restaurants state-wide are also required to have a 50%capacity limitation, and dine-in seating must be staggered and limited to
ensure seated parties are separated by at least six feet. Restaurants aremandated to screen employees for illness and/or COVID -19 exposure and prohibit
entry for any employee who has a positive response to the screening questions.

In addition to the capacity limitations and table spacingrequirements, Hollywood restaurants city-wide must limit the number of people
in their establishment to no more than 50 during all hours of operation. Alldine-in service must end at or before 10:00 p.m. each day and must remain
closed until 6:00 a.m. the following day. Restaurants may remain open past10:00 p.m. to provide delivery, take-out and drive through service only. Residents are encouraged to use take-out and delivery services.

Hollywood Beach and the
Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

Effective 1:00p.m., March 16th, Hollywood Beach and the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk are closed
to the public for recreational use. Many businesses and restaurants on thebarrier island and along the Broadwalk remain opened. Patrons can use the
Broadwalk, side streets and rear and side entrances to access these businesses.Additionally, visitors staying along the Broadwalk and residents who live in
homes adjacent to the Broadwalk will be able access their homes and lodgingestablishments via the Broadwalk.

City Facilities, Community
Centers & Parks

Effective March17th, all City-operated community centers not serving as polling locations, the
David Park Tennis Center, Orangebook Golf and Country Club, Hollywood BeachGolf Club, Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, and the Hollywood Marina,
including the marina fuel pump, are closed until further notice. Marina staffwill continue to provide security services as scheduled. All City-operated
parks remain open for passive use only. Organized use is prohibited.

City-operatedCommunity Centers serving as polling locations will be open for voting today
(Tuesday, March 17th) until 7:00 p.m. For a list of polling locations inHollywood, please visit the Broward County Supervisor of Elections website.

All City-sponsored events have been cancelled through the end of March.

All City-programming held indoors within Community Centers has been cancelled until further notice.

All organized athletic leagues, games, races and tournaments held at City recreational facilities have been cancelled until further notice.

Outdoor parks are open for passive use to the public. The use social distancing when using these outdoor public areas.

For the latest status of City events and programming, and other programs offered throughout Broward County, please visit the City’s homepage posts. All are encouraged to utilize the many services currently offered online. Learn more here.

MODIFIED SCREENING AT CITY FACILITIES

For your safety and the safety and security of others around you, and out of an abundance of caution, modified screening measures are currently underway at City facility security checkpoints. All employees and visitors will be screened prior to entering the facility.

Prior to entering a City facility:

Please have your ID ready
Be prepared to answer a few basic questions regarding recent travel history
Be prepared to answer a few basic questions regarding recent contact with people who are sick
Visitors who have returned from international travel within the past 14 days will be denied access and encouraged to self-isolate

Update on COVID-19:

The Florida Department of Health has announced updates regarding the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Florida. Six individuals have died, and 216 cases have been diagnosed in Florida with 55 cases in Broward County.

What does Presumptive Positive mean? A Presumptive Positive is when a state health lab has a positive test without the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmation.
What does Positive mean? A positive test is when a sample sent to the state health lab comes back positive for COVID-19.
What does Negative mean? A negative result is when a sample sent toe the state health lab comes back negative for COVID-19
What does Pending Test Results mean? A pending test result is when a sample sent to the state health lab has not been declared positive or negative at this time.
What does People Under Public Health Monitoring mean? The number of people under public health monitoring includes those at risk of having been exposed to COVID-19 who are monitoring their health under the supervision of public health officials.

Declarations:

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic as of March 11th. This declaration does not change federal or state policy; only refers to the global spread of a new disease.
The President of the United States announced a National State of Emergency on Friday, March 13th.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency on Monday, March 9th.
Broward County Commissioners issued a State of Emergency on Tuesday, March 10th.
Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy signed a local State of Emergency on Wednesday, March 11th. This declaration enables the City to activate our state emergency response plan and mutual aid agreements and authorizes the expenditure of funds, and deployment of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
The City of Hollywood is now under a Level 2 Partial Activation of our Emergency Operations Center

Travel Restrictions:

On Wednesday, March 11th President Donald Trump announced temporary restrictions on flights from 26 European countries to the United States. This is in edition to travel warnings for passengers returning from ANY international travel or a cruise within the past 14 days.

Health Restrictions:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is issuing guidance directing nursing homes to issue temporary restrictions on all visitors and non-essential personal, with a few exceptions such as end of life situations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday, March 13th prohibited all visitation to assisted living facilities, nursing homes, long-term care facilitates and group homes for 30 days.

To keep all patients, families and staff safe from possible exposure to COVID-19, Memorial Healthcare System is limiting visitation to only primary caregivers for individual patients, and limiting visitors to one primary caregiver for each patient. Everyone else, including siblings of any age, may not visit.

Health Resources:

The Florida Department of Health has established a coronavirus hotline. The call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 866.779.6121. Information is also available via email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov

Memorial Healthcare System is also offering Telehealth Services via their website.
Click on the icon to log into MemorialDOCNow

Current risk assessment:

For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.
People in communities where ongoing community spread with the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated though still relatively low risk of exposure.
Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure
It is likely more cases of COVID-19 will be identified in the coming days.
At this time, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and no medications approved to treat it. Nonpharmaceutical interventions would be the most important response strategy.

How to protect yourself:

Everyone can do their part to help respond to this emerging public health threat:

take everyday preventative actions to help stop the spread of germs
wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing or any physical contact with another individual.
if soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, especially immediately after contact with others or coughing or sneezing.
cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve (not your hand), then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
avoid close contact with people who are sick, exhibiting symptoms or who may have been exposed to the virus
clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a disinfecting household cleaning spray or wipe.
if you begin to feel sick, go home as soon as possible and stay home if you are sick
if you believe you have been exposed to the virus, are experiencing flu-like symptoms, have been in contact with someone infected with coronavirus or have traveled to a country where the outbreak exists, or believe you may be infected, please remain at home and do not have contact with other individuals. Immediately call the Florida Department of Health - Broward County at 954.412.7300 BEFORE traveling to any health care facility.
The CDC does not recommend asymptomatic, healthy people wear a facemask. Facemasks should be used only by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease.

HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS

COVID-19 GENERAL PREVENTION

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

Review your emergency plan:

Ensure a two-week supply of water and food.
Check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
Stock up on non-prescription drugs and other health supplies, like pain relievers, fluids with electrolytes, medical equipment, etc.
Print copies and save electronic versions of health records.
Confirm points of contact with family members and friends.
Have extra disinfectant household cleaning agents and wipes in your emergency kit.